Groundwater Protection Determinations Tips for Successful Groundwater Protection Determination Applications By Sean Avitt P.G. Research Strategies for GW-1 with W-14 Example By Mark Vining P.G., Ph.D. August 2017

1. Groundwater Protection Determinations Tips for Successful Groundwater Protection Determination Applications Sean Avitt, PG

Table Of Contents - 1 Who is the GAU and what do we do RRC Online System Menu and User Guide Google Chrome The Application Attachments Digital Well Log Submission Surveys More Tips

Who We Are An RRC Analytical Services Group Analytical Geologists and Geophysicists Boots on the Ground Upstream Oil Field and Mining Experience Software Engineering and Data Acquisition Expertise Analysis of Geology, Well Logs, Seismic Data, Geochemistry, Structure, Stratigraphy, Mineralogy

What We Do Groundwater Determinations: Identify water that needs to be protected during casing, plugging, etc. Advise RRC Technical Permitting and District Offices Geologic Confinement and Separation Determinations Injection into strata productive of Oil and Gas (H-1) Injection into strata non-productive of Oil and Gas (W-14) Special Projects: Advise internal and external customers on: Groundwater, Confinement, Mapping, Modeling, Seismic Interpretation

RRC Home Page – rrc.texas.gov

RRC Online System

Everything you need to know New Application Application Status “User Guide” is your friend! Searchable with linked Table of Contents Still having trouble? Call us 512-463-2741

Google Chrome Use an Up-to-date Google Chrome Browser Double Payment! From start to finish in Chrome: If you have applications started back at the office in a different browser, you must start an entirely new application in Chrome and delete the old one.

The Application – Filing Info Filing Information Reason for Filing For H-1s if no API number use “County Code” + “00000” Areal Extent Consistent hydrogeology & topography Tell us what you’re trying to get in “Remarks”

The Application – Location Info

County Checks County and Lat / Long is checked by the App API and County is not checked This is due to situation where SHL and BHL are on different sides of the county line State Plane and County is not checked Double check your State Plane Zone!

Attachments Map required for all purposes “Choose”, then “Upload”! For Disposal Wells (W-14) Form W-14 Well Log Must show freshwater resources and injection interval Prefer from top to Total Depth

Attachment Filenames No Special Characters (!@#$%^&*) No Spaces Keep it short Recommend just name it “MAP” NOTE: More information favors the desired outcome. GAU needs Logs (e-Logs, Gamma, Porosity) GAU rarely needs log segments that extend into the Prospect Zone Ask if your uncertain what we need 512-463-2741

GW-1 Troubleshooting Enter Operator Info – Save Fill out Application – Save Attach 1 file – Save Attach next file – Save If this process, doesn’t diagnose the problem call us at 512-463-2741

Attachment Resources Digital Well Log Submission – RRC Online GW-1: “Choose File Type” select “Well Log” Attach email from Digital Well Log Submission RRC Public GIS Viewer http://wwwgisp.rrc.texas.gov/GISViewer2/

Digital Well Log Submission Similar info as GW-1 Operator, Well, Survey, Coordinates Select ALL tools run under “Choose Secondary Well Log Type”

Help Us Help You GAU needs Logs (e-Logs, Gamma, Porosity) GAU rarely needs log segments that extend into the Prospect Zone Ask if you’re uncertain what we need! More information favors the desired outcome

Surveys North Good Bad You must measure perpendicular from at least two reference lines that are not parallel Closest and Simplest lines Measure from the closest lines Stay away from “squiggly” river survey lines. If you must, measure from the nearest inflection point (maximum of curvature)-- like the bottom of a “U”

Map Example – Not to Scale S. Avitt Survey, A-104 Well #9 API: 201123459 1300 ft FNWL 1800 ft FSWL North Scale 1 inch = 1000 ft Must have 90° (right) angles from Survey lines Survey line is River! Try to avoid measuring from it if possible.

Submission Inconsistencies If your information doesn’t match, which information do we believe? Map doesn’t match app Mapping Department: 512-463-6851 rrc.mapping@rrc.texas.gov

Common Misconceptions Payment does not mean the application has been submitted. Check for: “Submit” Button Status Submitted If an application is returned to you, you “Resubmit” to edit the application and resubmit it.

2. Research Strategies for GW-1 with W-14 Example On-Line Resources Regularly Used by the GAU with Examples Mark Vining, Ph.D., P.G.

Table Of Contents - 2 W14 Application Protected Groundwater What information is needed Online Resources Example Sites

W14 purpose GAU function W14 Application Disposal of oilfield waste water Into a non-producing formation Specified injection interval Isolate protected groundwater resources GAU function Prepare “No Harm” letter Identify protected groundwater Quantify isolation from proposed interval

Protected Groundwater Usable-Quality 3,000 ppm TDS in practice in Texas Isolated by: 250 feet net shale or impervious beds, AND 100 foot continuous shale or impervious bed USDW Defined by EPA as 10,000 ppm TDS 50 foot continuous shale or impervious bed

What Information is Needed Completed W-14 application form. Open-hole well log showing injection interval to surface. Resistivity log preferred Actual well or nearby offset Gamma/Porosity in W. Texas Location plat. Completed GW-1 application with purpose “W14.” Purpose Defines injection interval. Required for isolation analysis. Required to confirm location. Hub component that activates process. Note – No expedite fee needed for W14.

Help us to help you More data favors the desired outcome. Please call if you have any questions: ‎We want you to have a successful application the first time. RRC GAU contact (512) 463-2741 gau@rrc.texas.gov

Online Resources RRC online map viewer W-1 search use the layer selection USGS National Map to view topo lines W-1 search BEG surface casing estimator NEUBUS document image and well log repository

RRC Online Main Page

W-1 Search

Search

Search Results

RRC Online GIS Map Viewer

RRC Online GIS Map View

RRC GIS Viewer Alternative Base Map

BEG Surface Casing Estimator

BEG Surface Casing Information

NEUBUS Document Images Repository

NEUBUS

Online Resources Links RRC online map viewer http://wwwgisp.rrc.state.tx.us/GISViewer2/ use the layer selection USGS National Map to view topo lines W-1 search http://webapps2.rrc.state.tx.us/EWA/drillingPermitsQueryAction.do BEG surface casing estimator http://www.beg.utexas.edu/sce/ NEUBUS document image and well log repository http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/about-us/resource-center/research/online-research-queries/about-imaged-records/ Google Earth public site https://www.google.com/earth/

Help us to help you Thank You More data favors the desired outcome. Please call if you have any questions: ‎We want you to have a successful application the first time. If you share your logs with us, we can reach a more mutually beneficial result. Come talk to us if you have concerns about confidentiality: Need log segments in shallow investigative zone, not in your prospect zone May be able to use water quality data

Questions ? James Harcourt, P.G. Sean Avitt, P.G. GAU Manager james.harcourt@rrc.texas.gov (512) 463-2741 (main phone number) Sean Avitt, P.G. sean.avitt@rrc.texas.gov Mark Vining, Ph.D., P.G. mark.vining@rrc.texas.gov